Bolting/attaching seats

[Chfsfn2]

Anyone have an easier way to tie down bus seats than drilling through the floor and using bolts/washers/nuts?

We removed the seats from a bus, cut the legs off, attached them to 2x4 frames to give us storage room, and are remounting them sideways to allow a bigger aisle. Planning to drill holes through the floor and bolt, unless we can find an easier way.

Thanks!

[trx]

How about just screwing them to the floor? It would be alot less work. At most you would have to pre-drill the holes if you are going through sheet metal. Most everything in my bus is just screwed down.

Chad

[lapeer20m]

I love self tapping screws ! I used hundreds of self tappers in the construction of my bus.

They will drill through some pretty thick metal. I have drilled dozens of them through 1/4" steel without any problem.

[captainkf]

Ditto!!

They have saved gobs of time and numerous drill bits. Good call.

-Richard

[Griff]

I agree that self-tappers would be the bee's knees, but what about down the road after prolonged exposure to the elements. Are you guys putting caulk/sealant around the ends that stick through? I had thought about going the other way with mine, drilling pilot holes, then from under the bus, using neoprene washer head self-tappers and cutting off any ends that are exposed to the interior.

The reason I ask is that those who owned my bus before me went through with dry wall screws & they were rusted severely and many just broke upon removal attempts.

[Chfsfn2]

Thanks for the replies. I thought about self-tapping, but with the beating the seats & shelving will take on bike rides, we decided to go ahead and bolt through the floor. Worked out pretty well.

[busone]

I think the bolts are the best way to go. Screws may not be strong enough in an accident. The manfacturers used bolts for a reason.

[Eric von Kleist]

My bus had two attachment points on the foot of each leg. The forward hole had bolt, but the rear hole had about a 5/16" lag screw. At least using that combinationwould save you a little time.

[Skoolie BOBB]

I'd go for the bolts, too. The orginal set-up used bolts. Ever wonder why? These self-tappers are available to all of the bus companies; yet, they still bolt through the floor. They also use washers to keep things from yanking out in an accident. Oh yes, I'd go to "grade 8" bolts too. More expensive, but stronger than the cheapies.

For empty holes coming through the floor, you might consider "seam sealer" which can be purchased from an auto body supply store.

Herb in Utah